Strained multilayer thin films of YBa2Cu3O76/Nd1.83Ceo.i7CuO have been
prepared by laser ablation deposition. For individual layers below a
critical layer thickness of about 250A, coherency strain compresses
the Nd1.83Ceo.17CuO lattice and expands the YBa2Cu3O75 lattice. The
orthorhombic distortion in the YBa2Cu3O75 layers is also removed.
Depending on their oxygen content, either the YBa2Cu3O75, or the
Nd1.83Ce0.17CuO layers are superconducting in these multilayers. The
strain-induced structural modification has a significant influence on
the superconducting transition temperature and critical current
density of the YBa2Cu3O75 layers. Zero field critical current
densities as high as 1.lxlO7A/cm2 at 77K have been measured for the
YBa2Cu3O7 -, layers.